London is one of the exciting cities in the world and a trip there provides so many opportunities for exploration, discovery and entertainment that you would be hard pushed to run out of things to do. But if you’re looking to escape the city bustle for a day, why not take a trip to one of the surrounding towns? Make use of car hire from London and you can be out of the city and on your way in no time. Less than thirty miles out of London to the south west is Guildford, one of the most attractive towns around the capital. The county seat of Surrey, it is an affluent and genteel area, with quaint historic buildings lining the cobbled streets. Independent boutiques, designer shops and upmarket cafes can be found alongside chic bars and upscale restaurants. (Photo "Tower from Guildford's castle" by Dobowet)
There are plenty of historic attractions to discover. The old Guildford Castle, dating from soon after the Norman invasion of 1066, has a long history, with use as both royal residence and common jail. Today the gardens are a popular draw, while a conservation project started in 2003 has seen the keep partially renovated. The keep now houses a visitor centre, while part of the Guildford Museum is in the old gatehouse.
The Guildford Museum contains numerous exhibits dating from around 500,000 years ago to the present day. The focus of the museum is very much on local exhibits, especially those deriving from Guildford town itself. Collections are divided into Archaeology, Local History, Needlework and Art sections and there are a range of temporary exhibitions and special events throughout the year. The museum is an historic attraction in its own right, housed in both the Castle Arch building and a newer 19th century townhouse.
If it's historical buildings you’re after, there are plenty to be found in Guildford. The Guildhall itself is an iconic building dating from the 16th to 17th century with former use as a courtroom and council chambers. Many rare items unique to the town are now housed within it. Other notable buildings include St. Mary’s Church, which is at around 1000 years old the oldest building in the town, along with Abbot’s Hospital, the Angel Hotel and the Undercroft. (Photo "Guildford Castle" by SuzanneKn)
The town also boasts a superb art gallery in the form of the Guildford House Gallery. With over 120,000 visitors a year, the gallery is housed in a Grade I Listed townhouse dating from the 17th century. It contains numerous artworks inspired by the town and local area and by local artists. There are many other smaller art galleries in the nearby area.
Looking for fun family activities? Look no further. You can picnic or ride the waterways at Dapdune Wharf, check out the friendly residents at Surrey Hills Llamas, or have fun exploring the town on the Riverside Treasure Hunt. At the Guildford Spectrum, the indoor sporting activities include tenpin bowling, ice skating, swimming and athletics while kids and adults alike can have fun climbing the walls at Craggy Island Indoor Climbing Centre.
Guildford and the surrounding area aren’t short on parks, with great options including Clandon Park and Stoke Park. At Stoke Park you can explore the 18th century walled garden, go boating on the pond, paddle in the pool or play a round of crazy golf. There’s also a kids’ play area. The mansion at Clandon Park offers tours through its palatial rooms, including the spectacular Marble Hall, while the Maori meeting house in the grounds is an interesting addition.
